"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Serenity

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!


Today's word: serenity

What does the word serenity mean to you?

Is serenity more than just an absence of anxiety or worry?

What brings you serenity - in nature, in life, in the Word?


Let me know what you think!!


"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

FLAWED

Ooooo…

How I hate that word.

A little background.

When "The Hub" and I moved up to our new mountain home, it wasn't quite new.  It definitely needed a little TLC.  The house had stood empty for almost two years.  Notice I said empty – not unoccupied.  Nope, the three little mice – and about a thousand of their closest personal friends – had had quite a heyday on the property.

We found *remnants* of their occupation all over.

I learned three things about mice:

1.  They are not particular about their bathroom habits.
2.  They like to chew and scratch and gnaw.
3.  They leave their mummified carcasses in the most disturbing places.

We had quite a time convincing them that the house was too small for them and us.  We insisted, they complied.

Oh, I also learned that moths enjoy an empty house, too.  And they lose their wings and body parts faster than I am losing brain cells.  I just want to know how they got in???

But I digress.

When we moved in, there was definitely work to be done.  New carpet, new paint, new tile, and a new kitchen.

We had done some remodeling on our *older* home down the hill – just to help the resale value of a 36-year old tract home.  But, whenever something wasn't perfect, I was able to let it go – knowing that this wasn’t the "final place."

Not so up here.

Every change we make is permanent.  This is THE house we're going to live in.  So, the changes loom a little (a lot) more serious.

Well, let me just say this – though we have had very, very good craftsmen doing the work on our house, there are mistakes.

The work is flawed.

I find that I go into "Incessant Inspector" mode rather quickly…and easily.

"The Hub" says I'm negative.

I say I'm particular, with an eye for detail.

So, as I've made my rounds, checking out the finished product, I've asked myself these questions:

Why can't painters make a clean line on baseboard?  Or ceilings?  Or corners?

Why would you put the same tile so close to one just like it?  How hard would it be to spin it to make it look like a different tile with a different design?

Why put so many plain tiles, or patterned tiles, so close together?  Can't you mix it up?

Why do carpets have to have weird little bumps in them?

Why can't cabinets "take the stain" in an even pattern?

Don't get me wrong, the finished work is really good.  And I have had some input throughout the ongoing process.  However, one cannot stand over a contractor and tell him how to do his work every step of the way.  (I'd love to – but "The Hub" did not allow me to do so…)

"The Hub" tries to be helpful with these endearing sentiments:

"At least it's done."

"It looks good to me."

“You can't do anything about it now."

"You want to do it yourself?"  (Though he's being facetious, the thought has crossed my mind).

Here's the rub – we're not done yet.

So I have visions of mismatched granite, appliances that won't fit into their respective spaces, chipped sinks, leaky faucets, etc.

Grrr…

Now, I admit to being a perfectionist…(particular, eye for detail).

But still.

It really, really bugs me.

Do you know that I've actually *corrected* a few tile flaws with colored pencil???

Yes I have – reminiscent of my cigar store Indian escapade (here).

Flawed.

The word just keeps ruminating in my mind.

Dictionary definition:  Blemished, damaged, or imperfect in some way. Containing a mistake, weakness, or fault.

Sharon's Acrostic Dictionary definition:

F aulty
L acking
A wry
W rong
E rrant
D efective

Flawed.

Yup, how I hate that word.

But, the other night I got to thinking.  (It was all I could do as I lay sleepless, pondering the mismatched tile…)

I don't think I'm alone in my quest for perfection.  Nor in my sorrow when it doesn't happen.

I wonder about God.  I wonder how He feels.  Here He created this perfect world, these perfect creatures, these perfect humans.  It was all good…

Actually better than good – it was flawless.

I wonder how He felt when we messed it all up.

I can only imagine how His heart broke when we ruined His work.  When He watched us make mistakes.  When we painted outside of the lines.  When we messed up the pattern.  When the smooth path of obedience got bumpy.  When our hearts became stained with sin.

I think He mourned…deeply.

God, the Ultimate Perfectionist, the Flawless Potter, looked at His sin-filled lumps of clay…and cried.

I'm convinced of it.

He understands the dismay, the discouragement of imperfection.

How could He bear it?

The Holy One feeling the pain of unholiness invade His work…

I began to see how foolish it was for me to be so focused on temporal imperfections.  There are bigger things at stake here.

And then I thought of something else…

There is someone who comes before the throne of God every day and points to me and shouts his accusation:

"FLAWED!"

Oh, Lord.

Though You have every right to look at me and called me flawed, You do not. You did something miraculous to make me perfect in Your sight.

You sent Your Son.

And because of Him, I am no longer defined by my imperfections.

Evidently God has an acrostic dictionary, too.  And He defines flawed this way:

F ully
L oved
A nd
W orthwhile…
E ternally
D elightful

(I like His definitions better than mine, by the way…)


Lord, thank You for the lessons I am learning in patience and acceptance. Thank You for teaching me that only You are holy and complete.  Thank You for the gracious gift of Your righteousness, so that even though I am flawed, You see me as perfect.  Thank You that the enemy does not define me.  Thank You that the Story wasn't ruined in Eden – it just took a plot twist.  Thank You that even then, before the beginning of the world, You had a perfect plan – a plan for restoration.  Thank You for the promise of hope – that one day all will be perfect again – for we will live in Your light, and gaze on Your face.


"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10)


How do you think God looks at you?


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY- Feast

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!


Today's word: feast

How is a feast different than a meal?

What are your favorite things to eat at a holiday feast?

How might you describe the Wedding Feast of the Lamb?


Let me know what you think!!


"When one of those at the table with him heard this, he said to Jesus, 'Blessed is the man who will eat at the feast in the kingdom of God.'" 
(Luke 14:15, NIV)

"And the angel said to me, 'Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.'" (Revelation 19:9, NLT)


"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Some verses to help you sing praises to our Almighty God, our Gracious Savior, and our Comforting Holy Spirit:


"Yours, O Lord,
is the greatness, the power,
the glory, the victory,
and the majesty.
Everything in the heavens
and on earth is Yours,
O Lord,
and this is Your kingdom.
We adore You
as the One who is over all things.
Wealth and honor come from You alone,
for You rule over everything.
Power and might are in Your hand,
and at Your discretion
people are made great and given strength.
O our God,
we thank You
and praise Your glorious name!"
(1 Chronicles 29:11-13, NLT)


"You have turned my mourning into dancing for me;
You have put off my sackcloth
and girded me with gladness,
To the end that my tongue
and my heart
and everything glorious within me
may sing praise to You
and not be silent.
O Lord my God,
I will give thanks to You forever."
(Psalm 30:11-12, AMP)


"He who offers
a sacrifice of thanksgiving
honors Me;
And to him who orders his way aright
I shall show the salvation of God."
(Psalm 50:23, NASB)


"It is good to praise the Lord
and make music to your name,
O Most High,
to proclaim Your love in the morning
and Your faithfulness at night,
to the music of the ten-stringed lyre
and the melody of the harp.
For You make me glad by your deeds, O Lord;
I sing for joy at the works of Your hands.
How great are Your works, O Lord,
how profound Your thoughts!"
(Psalm 92:1-5, NIV)


"O come, let us sing unto the LORD: 
let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. 
Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, 
and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. 
For the LORD is a great God, 
and a great King above all gods. 
In his hand are the deep places of the earth: 
the strength of the hills is his also. 
The sea is his, and he made it: 
and his hands formed the dry land. 
O come, let us worship and bow down: 
let us kneel before the LORD our maker." 
(Psalm 95:1-6, KJV)


"Make a joyful noise unto the Lord,
all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness:
come before His presence with singing.
Know ye that the Lord
He is God:
it is He that hath made us,
and not we ourselves;
we are His people,
and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
and into His courts with praise:
be thankful unto Him,
and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting;
and His truth endureth to all generations."
(Psalm 100, KJV)


"Because of the Lord's great love
we are not consumed,
for His compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is Your faithfulness.
I say to myself,
'The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for Him.'
The Lord is good
to those whose hope is in Him,
to the one who seeks Him;
it is good to wait quietly
for the salvation of the Lord."
(Lamentations 3:22-26, NIV)


"Each one of you is part of the body of Christ,
and you were chosen to live together in peace.
So let the peace that comes from Christ
control your thoughts.
And be grateful.
Let the message about Christ
completely fill your lives,
while you use all your wisdom
to teach and instruct each other.
With thankful hearts,
sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.
Whatever you say or do
should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus,
as you give thanks to God the Father
because of Him."
(Colossians 3:15-17, CEV)


"Give thanks no matter what happens.
God wants you to thank Him
because you believe in Christ Jesus."
(1 Thessalonians 5:18, NIV)


"Everything God created is good,
and to be received with thanks.
Nothing is to be sneered at and thrown out.
God's Word and our prayers
make every item in creation holy."
(1 Timothy 4:4-5, MSG)


I wanna hear a JOYFUL noise out there, my dear brothers and sisters!  We have so much to be grateful for - and we must never tire of offering thanksgiving and praise to the God of our salvation!

(Oh, and let's enjoy eating some of His bountiful feast, too!!!)


How and where are you celebrating THANKSGIVING today?


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

FLOAT LIKE A BUTTERFLY...

…sting like a bee.

For those of you who aren't sports fans, this is a quote from heavyweight boxer, Muhammad Ali.

However, it's rather an apt sentiment for this post.  

Let me start at the beginning – (kinda logical, huh?!)

Last week, I decided to go outside to do my daily Bible reading/devotional time.  It was just so beautiful, sunny and warm – an appropriate setting to meditate on the Lord.

Shortly after I arrived, I saw the most wonderful sight – a butterfly.

Now some of you know that I have attached a sort of spiritual meaning to butterflies.  Every time I see them, I think of them as a sign of the Lord's presence.  A way for Him to say to me, "I'm here!"

And these appearances always seem to happen in the most *coincidental* ways.   (You can read about that here).

I smiled.

"Hello, Lord," I thought to myself.  "Good to have You here."

I felt a peace.

God was here, with me…

Of course, less than 10 minutes later, my bliss was disturbed.

You see, I was thoughtfully joined by a rather annoying pest – (no, not "The Hub") – it was a yellow jacket.  

He kept buzzing around, dive-bombing my head.  I swatted him away with my journal, and he landed on the ground beside me.  I could tell that he was stunned, and I contemplated stomping him and killing him and eliminating his aggravating buzz-business.

But, I hate killing things – so I demurred.

I went inside for a few minutes, and when I returned I was no longer joined by my nectar-nibbling varmint.  

Yay, I thought – he's gone.

A few minutes later, it started to get cooler, and so I decided to put my flannel shirt back on.

All of a sudden…

OUCH!

Do you know that that (stupid) yellow jacket was hiding (lurking) in my sleeve and had the (unabashed) audacity to sting me???

Bliss ended.

Ice packs, ibuprofen, pain, and then incessant itching followed.  Yes, itching.  Though I am not anaphylactically allergic (is that a word?  It is now…) – I am evidently fairly allergic to the venom.  I have not itched that much since I had chicken pox.

Later that evening, as I pondered – 'cuz you know I’m gonna ponder – I was reminded of a good lesson.

Yes, the Lord is with me all the time.  My dear little butterfly reminded me of that wonderfully comforting Truth.

But, Mr. Yellow Jacket reminded me of another truth – that someone else is always with me too.  

That old enemy is always looking to bring me down.  And sometimes he isn't a devouring lion – sometimes he doesn't roar like that.  Sometimes he's just looking to sting – he knows that buzzing can be quite effective too.

Sure, he delights in the *big* Christian attack and the ensuing meltdown.  But sometimes he's also happy just to ruin a peaceful moment.


Two truths for us, fellow believers.  

God is with us, and the enemy hunts us.

And let's make sure that while we're looking for the lion, we don't miss the yellow jacket.


(Note to self:  Given the chance to stomp and eliminate a threat – take it!)


Have you gotten "stung" lately?


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Family

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!


Today's word: family

What are some of the blessings of being part of a family?

What things do you love most about your own family?

How does the Body of Christ reflect the idea of family?


Let me know what you think!!


"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Respect

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!


Today's word: respect

What does the word respect mean to you?

Do you think respect is different than honor?  If so, how?

How can we balance having respect for our earthly leaders, while still honoring God?


Let me know what you think!!

(Is anyone else getting in touch with their inner Aretha Franklin???)


"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

GOD SPEAKS...A "GOOD" WORD

Sometimes God speaks to me…

…in a Voice that cannot be mistaken.

It's Him.

Often He speaks a good word of comfort or encouragement.  And I am consoled by His presence.  Ah, I sigh to myself, He cares about me.

Sometimes He speaks another word.

Like last week.

I was fretting about a particular situation – (I know, totally out of character…ahem) – and feeling completely overwhelmed at my inability to do anything about it.  I was nervous about the people involved (my sons), and how things were going to turn out.  I wanted to say or do something that would influence it all.

And then, God spoke to me:

"Trust Me, and get out of the way."

Now, if someone said that to me in real life, I think I would be highly offended.  I'd probably have some *pithy words* to say back.

But, when Someone said them to me, I felt comforted and encouraged.

I felt consoled by His presence.

Ah, I sighed to myself, He cares about me.

And then I started to ponder the words that He had said.  

He's right, I thought.  I do need to trust Him.  I need to release to Him all these situations that trouble me so.

And yes, I thought, He's right.  I do need to get out of His way.  He doesn't need my help.  (I offered, He said He had it covered…)

Sometimes in my anxiety – which is so often just lack of trust in disguise – I scramble to influence situations and people and circumstances.  Most of the time, I do it to avoid my anxiety.

Anxiety is a terrible taskmaster.  It often makes me feel like a rat in a maze.  Chasing down nameless fears, running away from horrifying "what if" scenarios, banging into wall after wall of senseless worrying.

How often does God watch me do this and say to Himself...

"Oh, if she would only trust Me…

…and get out of the way."

Lord, you know how hard this is for me.

You know how difficult it is to let go – especially when the situations and circumstances involve people that I love.  

I hate watching (helplessly) their confusion, their discontent, their misunderstandings…their anxiety.

I want to DO SOMETHING.

I guess God needed to remind me (yet again) that He is in charge of it all. And He needs no help in taking care of His children…even if they happen to also be my children.

I have begun to know that God's love for me is perfect love.  And sometimes, perfect love has to speak a word of reprimand.

Kindly, gently – get out of the way.

I'm wondering…in my efforts to "help out" – do I sometimes impede God's work?  Do I slow Him down?  

Obviously, I do not have the power to ultimately thwart His purposes – (and oh, thank goodness for that!)  But do I unconsciously work against His ways?

I am thinking specifically about the times when He wants to do some pruning or refining work in the lives of my sons.  I hate seeing their pain.  It makes me anxious.

But if I try to insert myself by trying to help, am I unintentionally interfering with God?

Maybe…just maybe.

I can just see myself in Scripture…

What if I had tried to run away with Moses instead of trusting him to God and the bulrushes?  What if I had come along and helped Joseph out of that cistern?  What if I had counseled David to give up his anointed kingship to save his life instead of obeying God?

I think sometimes I'm a bit like Peter.

He didn't want the Lord to die…

"But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. 'Heaven forbid, Lord,' he said. 'This will never happen to you!'" 
(Matthew 16:22)

Of course, that wasn't what God had in mind.  

"Peter, trust Me…and get out of the way."

Or how about that little scene in the Garden of Gethsemane?  You know, the whole cutting-off-the-ear confrontation.  I'm sure Peter thought he was doing the right thing by "helping out" – trying to save the Savior.

"Then Simon Peter drew a sword and slashed off the right ear of Malchus, the high priest's slave.  But Jesus said to Peter, 'Put your sword back into its sheath. Shall I not drink from the cup of suffering the Father has given me?''' (John 18:10-11)

"Peter, trust Me…and get out of the way."

Yes, I am very grateful that God speaks to me.  And I am glad that He loves me enough to be honest.


"Trust Me, Sharon.  Trust My ways, My wisdom, My timing.  And yes, you can trust Me enough to get out of the way, for I will work My purposes perfectly."

Love you, Lord.

Stepping aside…



"'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD." (Isaiah 55:8, NIV)

"The LORD of Heaven's Armies has sworn this oath: 'It will all happen as I have planned. It will be as I have decided.'" (Isaiah 14:24, NLT)

"But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations." (Psalm 33:11, NIV)

"And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Romans 8:28, NLT)


What has God said to you lately?  Is He asking you to step aside in some situation, and let Him work?


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Hope

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!


Today's word: hope

What does hope feel like?

What things do you hope for in this life?

What is one thing that you long for with hope in eternity?


Let me know what you think!!


"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"